Fight Science on National Geographic Channel

Building on the success and popularity of the original, the National Geographic Channel (NGC) has created new episodes of Fight Science.

National Geographic continues to examine the measurable impact and inner workings of the art of physical combat in the new series. The first episodes focused on traditional martial arts. This time around, in Fight Science: Mixed Martial Arts, NGC takes a close look at mixed martial arts (MMA) to unlock the mechanics of the increasingly brutal punches, kicks, locks and throws which are a trademark of the sport.

Whether you consider yourself a diehard MMA enthusiast, or the ultimate martial arts traditionalist, there is no question that mixed martial arts require a display of strategy, knowledge of anatomy and superb conditioning. MMA fighters often master a broad range of martial arts disciplines so that they can strategically deploy elements from each style.

At any moment, fighters can draw upon a wide range of tactics, such as lightning-fast punches used in boxing, knee strikes used by a karate master, elbow blows displayed in kung fu or grappling practices perfected by Brazilian jiu-jitsu artists.

At the pinnacle of mixed martial arts is the UFC, which has sought to legitimize MMA in a league that has become a pop culture phenomenon. What can science show us about the true extent of their abilities and their comparative strengths, advantages and limitations?

FIGHT SCIENCE: MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

The show reveals the astonishing data behind the athletic capabilities of legendary mixed martial arts fighters, including controversial Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight champion Randy Couture, former UFC heavyweight champion Bas Rutten, former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz and two-time world submission grappling champion Dean Lister.

Among the results, scientists determine that Rutten's kick generates a force equivalent to a 35-mph car crash, and Couture's endurance is nearly 10 times better than that of the average person and his blows generate double the force of a heavyweight boxer's best punch.

"I've been doing crash testing for the last 20 years, and I've never seen these kinds of numbers," says Randy Kelly, an automotive crash testing and human-injury expert. "I would never have believed it if I hadn't been here to see it."

Fight Science: Mixed Martial Arts first premiered on Sunday, January 27th. Missed it? You can watch it or record it on Saturday, February 2nd at 2pm PT / 5pm ET.

WATCH "MIXED MARTIAL ARTS" PREVIEW VIDEO HERE.

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